The present invention relates to a packaging machine (1) in which a material web is transported cyclically, having: a thermoforming station (2), which, during each cycle, forms a pattern of a plurality of pack cavities in the material web, -a filling station (7) in which an article is introduced into each pack cavity, -a sealing station (19), which fastens an upper material web integrally on the material web, wherein, prior to the integral connection being made, the pack cavity has gas evacuated from it and/or admitted to it, and-a cutting device (27), by means of which the packs produced in this way are separated from the material webs. The present invention further relates to a method for producing a pack, in the case of which a material web is transported cyclically along a packaging machine and, during each cycle, a pattern of a plurality of pack cavities is formed in the material web, the pack cavities are then filled with an article and then an upper material web is sealed onto the pack cavities, wherein, prior to the sealing operation, the pack cavities have gas evacuated from them and/or gas exchange is carried out.